9 Facts You Need To Know About The Tower of London

The Tower of London is officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London.

 

Where is Tower of London?

It is on the north bank of River Thames. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

 

Who owns the Tower of London?

The Tower of London is owned by The Crown Estate, which belonged to Queen Elizabeth II in ‘the right of the crown’.

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; now the Tower of London belongs to her eldest son King Charles III in ‘the right of the crown’. 

By Samspade79 - Source: Wikimedia Commons

Early History

It was built by Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror in 1078. The Tower of London was built onto the south-east corner of the Roman town walls, with the River Thames which provides additional protection from the south attacks.

Most of the early Norman Castles were built from timber but was replaced or renovated with stones by the end of the 11^th century, which included the Tower of London. The White Tower gives the whole castle its name. Its work dates back in late 11^th century.

 

Some Facts

The Crown Jewels

Although many people think that they are replicas, Royal Coronation apparel – or ‘Crown Jewels’ - have been locked in the Tower of London since the 1600s.

Crown, robes and jewelry are among the memories that have been held in the tower, and when a new King or Queen is crowned, the articles are carefully kept and sent to the Westminster Abbey for the coronation.

 

Crown Jewel’s gemstones

This contains 23,578 gemstones. But the official cost of the Crown Jewels is zero.

By the reports, their estimated value is between 2 – 4 billion pounds.

 

Ravens that can’t leave

By © User:Colin - Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Ravens that stays at the Tower of London are popular for being the protector of the Tower.

They stay on the southern lawn and their fun personalities can be seen when you visit the tower.

Ravens are even given adorable names: Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and Georgie.

If the Tower is ever abandoned by ravens, it’s believed that the Kingdom and the Tower of London will fall.

 

It was London’s first zoo

By Jordiferrer - Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ravens are not the only animal that has the pleasure of living in the Tower of London. Between the 1200 and 1835, this tower is a home to wild and exotic animals, and mostly given as a royal gift to the Kings and Queens who ruled.

Everything began in 1235, when Henry III was given three leopards and he decided to start the zoo. Polar bears were obtained in 1252 and then the African elephants were brought in 1255.

 

The Tower is said to be very haunted

By The wub - Source: Wikimedia Commons

Arbella Stuart (cousin of Elizabeth I) was starved to death in the walls of fortress. It is said that she still haunts the queen’s House. While Anne Boleyn is reported to appear near the Tower Green, the execution site of her in 1536.

In addition, Henry VIII’s famous lover, two small boys are said to haunt the tower.

The ‘Princes in the Tower’ refers to the King Edward V and Richard of Shrewsbury, who were locked in the tower after the death of their father. The boys were allegedly killed in 1483 – although their remains were not found until 200 years.

 

Skeletons were found underneath the Tower of London

In 2019, two, 500 years old skeletons were found buried under the Tower of London. It is said that one of them was an adult woman and the other one was a child.

 

The tower was never supposed to be the prison

By Dietmar Rabich - Source: Wikimedia Commons

In the 16^th century, the tower was acquired an enduring reputation as grim, forbidding prison.

Particularly, it was for prisoners who posed a threat to royals or the country.

Between 1540 and 1640, imprisonment at the tower was at the peak, there were 48 recorded cases of the use torture. The most common forms of tortures used were rack, the Scavenger’s daughter and the manacles.

Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn and even Elizabeth I were all imprisoned at the fortress.

 

The Tower of London was damaged by bombs

During World War I, one bomb fell on the Tower of London (however, it landed harmlessly in the moat).

But World War II left a greater mark. On 23^rd September, 1940, during Blitz, high-explosive bombs damaged the castle and several buildings and it narrowly missed the White Tower.

After a great damage, it was repaired and the Tower of London was reopened for public.

 

It is a World Heritage Site

By Lewis Clarke - Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Tower of London was listed as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, to recognize its global importance, to help conserve and protect the site.